Panther Women goes to Rhino Fest

My name is India Nicole Burton and I am a 32 year old up and coming director/theatre creator and producer, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In the Last year I have been developing a play about prominent African American women in The Black Panther Party and The Civil rights movement. The play is entitled: Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation ( Working Title) The play highlights the lives of Elaine Brown, Angela Davis and Assata Shakur. This play is special to me because I was able to employ 12 African American women which made up the entire cast and crew. This team included 7 actresses, 1 choreographer, a stage manager, an assistant stage manager and two co-writers. Panther Women started its journey as part of my residency at Cleveland Public Theatre, as I received a grant from The National New Play Network for the 18/19 season to be a producer in residence. Panther Women had two open rehearsals at Cleveland Public Theatre in November of 2018. The piece was received very well and received some national attention. I was awarded the second year producer in residence grant from the National New Play Network to continue to create this project with the support and backing if Cleveland Public Theatre for the 19/20 season.  We have also  been asked to come to Rhinoceros Fringe Festival as Prop Thtr's guest in Chicago, Illinois. This is very exciting because this festival could give Panther Women more exposure, as it is a story that should be told across the world.   To continue this tradition of women empowerment we need funding for various expenses,  such as the cast housing and  travel  expenses, that will help us successfully get to Rhinoceros Festival. The women are very excited as this piece serves as not only a play but a representation of African American women's lives; our hardships, our triumphs and our humanity. Doing this piece gave us ownership of our own stories and control of the narrative of our past and the  trajectory of our futures  . It would be great to continue this mission with the generous help of others. Thank you!

Take a look at these articles that talk a little more about my residency at Cleveland Public Theatre and Panther Women Project! 

https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/alumni/theatrealumni.dot 

http://nnpn.org/programs/producers-in-residence

https://www.broadwayworld.com/new-jersey/article/National-New-Play-Network-Announces-2018-19-Awardees-20180718#